If you are buying from a private seller ask to see service records. Go online and order a carfax car history report free online Find out if the car will be sold “as is” or already state inspected. When you are serious about a used car make sure that you have time to take the car to your mechanic for him to give the car the once over, especially if it’s being sold “as is”. You don’t need to find out after the fact that it needs many more repairs than you thought. You can’t tell just by a visual inspection.